JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — When it comes to roads, Mark Gatton can sum up his role as a Jefferson Township Trustee in just three words.
“Maintenance and safety,” he said. “That’s our job.”
The Jefferson Township Trustees oversee the maintenance of 52 miles of roads in southern Richland County. These roads (or sometimes of portions of roads) are located outside the village of Bellville.
Voters in Jefferson Township will decide whether or not to renew an existing road maintenance levy during next month’s election.
The two-mill levy generates $199,992 annually for the general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of township roads and bridges.
“This isn’t an increase (in taxes). We just want to maintain what we have and keep our roads safe,” Gatton said.
If renewed, residents would continue to pay the levy for five more years, starting with tax year 2027 (collection due in 2028.)
The levy costs taxpayers approximately $70 for each $100,000 of their property’s appraised value, as determined by the Richland County Auditor’s Office.
Residents can find the appraised value of their property using the Richland County Auditor’s Office online search tool.
Some common roads maintained by Jefferson Township include Renie Road, Dill Road, Durbin Road, Gatton Rock Road and Ruhl Road, Gatton said. Trustees have a five-year cycle for chip-and-sealing the roads under their jurisdiction.
The funds from the levy also go toward county road equipment (like snowplows) and salaries for township road employees.
There are currently two full-time workers and a couple of part-time workers in the township road department, according to Gatton.
Gatton said the small crew works hard, especially during the winter, to keep roads safe and operable for residents.
“They’re dedicated and they’ll do whatever they need to do at any hour or any day,” he said.
